Does anyone feel 'different?'

[DillyDally]

Do you think so? If you're right it just goes to show how socially inept I am

But being socially inept doesn't make you a sociopath, well not that alone.

[Dr Know]

But being socially inept doesn't make you a sociopath, well not that alone.

I realise that DD - I was joking

[DillyDally]

I realise that DD - I was joking

Then I must have some sort of disease that means I don't notice when people are joking Have had a really bad last few days, that's my excuse ....

[Dr Know]

Then I must have some sort of disease that means I don't notice when people are joking Have had a really bad last few days, that's my excuse ....

Don't worry DD, it can be a bit ambiguous sometimes on t'internet...

[Kitty Ballistic]

I used to walk around thinking my consciousness lived in a bubble that floated two metres behind my head :) I could look down at my body, but I was never really part of it properly. I am spatially nuts - I walk into things constantly, things that are patently there, but i never took them into account when calculating how wide I am and how much space I need to leave to go around the object. And I am incredibly noise sensitive - I cannot seem to tune things to background level, if there is more than one noise in the immediate vicinity, like a radio playing and someone talking to me, I can't make one more prominent than the other and have difficulty hearing the person talking to me, although I have the hearing of a bat and can hear plugs hum and cars idling streets away.

I recognise a lot of things in this thread, but definitely this. I'm short, but I don't 'feel' short, so often duck to avoid things that are far too high for me to worry about. I can't judge distances well at all, and even managed to close a door on my head because I popped my head back into the room to say something as I was closing the door.

I also struggle to hear other people if there's too much going on, but have been told (by my parents) that I have 'bat hearing'. And I've done the 'standing on the outside edge of my feet because it does feel good.

I wouldn't necessarily have said I felt 'different', but then I've not really analysed it - I don't give it much thought. I have a fear of being labelled as 'wacky' or 'nutty' in case I turn into Rik from the Young Ones. "You'll have to watch out for me because I'm a bit nutty!"

Or worse, Colin Hunt from the Fast Show.

[Shoppie]

My therapist talks about Buddhism a lot. Take what I'm saying with a very hefty pinch of salt as tis my understanding of a very distilled explanation. But basically he was saying that Buddhists believe that they are 'awake' while a lot of the world is not. A lot of the world just carries on going through the motions, without really thinking about what they are doing, or if it makes sense. I had a nervous breakdown in 2003, and when that happens either you end up dead or you have to really re-examine life i.e. 'wake up' It is at this point you realise a lot of life MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER!!!

Why on earth are we all stood about talking about the price of cheese and why is everybody nodding along like this conversation makes sense and is incrediby important and interesting? And why am I on a bunch of pills, therapy and seeing a psychiatrist? Surely this lot are more mentally unhinged than I am???

So anyway I don't think I was always that different, I grew up in an abused home but sadly I now know thousands of children do. I hid it as the majority also do. Only when I went through my breakdown did I change and start to be different, and not want to waste time trying to fit in anymore. Now I will tend to call a spade a spade. I do still make the effort to conform socially when required eg at work, but 'I' still pop out sometimes

[Rosa]

My best friend is a psychologist and bipolar and has had breakdowns, she says similar Shoppie. She is a fascinating person to talk to about everything. I sometimes find the way she handles the world alarming, but actually honestly always does end up being the best policy and its refreshing to be in her no bs world

[Northern Angel]

Me too a little. I've had a glass of vino so now's maybe the time to admit on the outside, I present fairly neurotypical, but I'll always be the ginger kid who had a chipmunk for an imaginary friend I hate small talk too Franny and its not shyness as I can communicate very well when I'm interested and am really confident.

I'm very lucky to work in a team with lots of similar people. There's one colleague who laughs constantly to himself and comes out with the most bizzare statements; he's convinced the village I come from is full of swingers for example. Another who makes hyena noises (noticed thats normally towards the end of the day). And the list goes on. We also work with young people who don't fit in Sunshine, I genuinely believe that young people can tell if you are judging them

My DH was referred to CAHMS at his old school and while there was no suggestion of a diagnosis, he is quirky. I did the test for myself online wondering if I had a condition but it said I was neurotypical. Personally I think we're both ever so slightly on the spectrum.

I really embrace it these days and pride myself on not trying to fit in or care what people think

[jubiedoo16]

I never really thought of myself as different, but other people comments made me analyse it a bit more. For example a male friend said "oh we were in this shop at the weekend and there were some dresses you would love" so I said "oh what like" he replied " well you know quirky and unusual"
Then several colleagues used to look on in horror as I would verbalise what everyone else was saying, then they would exclaim "oh my god I can't believe you said that" and I would be thinking Why? you all think she/he was being a dick so I told them. I guess maybe I have a low tolerance for crap.
I can end friendships over the smallest things, if someone starts to irritates me I avoid them and if it continues, then everything they do will Pi55 me off so I tend to call off the friendship.
I am quite giddy and excitable but also prone to being a miserable moo and a bit of a dolly daydream, ridiculously clumsy, could hurt myself in a padded room. I feel often that I am not living inside my body, basically that im a bit detached from the world.
I love my own company and love silence.
Friends say I'm odd but in an affectionate way. My SIL said to me "the weirder you are, the more I love you"
I hate small talk and find it impossible to talk to other mums at baby groups, past hello how are you how old is child, then i find myself drifting off. I have made a few friends since having kids, but the only good ones are naturally talkative and outgoing. I have always being attracted to confident/chatty/outgoing people as it makes my life easier.
Maybe the Bipolar is part of this though?

[Enchanted Wonderfull]

The standing on the outside of your feet thing is common if you're flat footed as yr foot rolls inward ( think its called over pronating).